Lions

Lions Cut Two Players, Bring In TE Michael Egnew, FB Emil Igwenagu

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 01: Michael Egnew #84 of the Miami Dolphins in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on December 1, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) – As Saturday’s 53-man roster deadline nears, the Detroit Lions have subtracted a number of names from their roster already.

The most recent cut included tight end Jacob Maxwell and offensive lineman Bryce Quigley. The team made those moves Tuesday to get down to 75 men before the 4 p.m. deadline.

The Lions cut Maxwell and Quigley to make space for former Miami Dolphins tight end Michael Egnew and former Philadelphia Eagles tight end/fullback Emil Igwenagu.

Egnew, a third-round pick in 2012, would seem to have little chance of making the active roster because of the depth the Lions already have at that position in valued veteran Brandon Pettigrew, first-round draft pick Eric Ebron and second-year player Joseph Fauria, who established himself last season and whom teammates say has improved throughout the offseason.

Igwenagu will work at the fullback position for the Lions, competing against Jed Collins and Montell Owens. The fourth preseason game – while often boring for casual fans because starters play so little or not at all – will be meaningful for on-the-bubble players like Igwenagu, whom Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said could make an appearance in Thursday’s game.

“Hopefully you will see him this week,” Caldwell said. “He’s going to have to be a quick learner in order for us to be able to utilize him, but we plan on doing just that. We’re going to put him under and intensive sort of learning curve here shortly and hopefully we’ll be able to certainly get in the game so we can see what he can do.”